The San Marcos River Clean Up And Rendezvous 55th Annual

On Saturday, March 7, 2026, paddlers from all over Texas will be
participating in the world's longest river clean up. We will be picking up
trash along most of the San Marcos River (60- 90 miles depending on
how many canoe racers show up). From just downstream of San
Marcos, all the way to Gonzales, canoeists, kayakers and rafters will be
cleaning the river and the banks. The paddling portion of this event is for experienced paddlers only, with their own boats and who are members of paddling groups who have adopted various sections of river.
We (NTRR) will be officially doing Section 2 as it is a Whitewater Section. You can also choose to join a different section if you do not want to do section 2, so I have included all the details for each section below. Just be sure to let me know which section you want to do and if not Section 2, I will assist you with getting in touch with that section leader. We do have some loaner boats available for our club members.
You MUST be registered by March 4.
Most people will come in Friday to set up camp, stay through Saturday night, do either a paddle or attend the Board Meeting for TRPA, and go home Sunday afternoon/evening. Camping for participants Fri-Sat is free at the Retreat, reservations required. But there may be a day parking fee if you stay to paddle Sunday. It is usually only $5.

OFFICIAL INFORMATION
WHITEWATER PADDLERS
There are some sections of river that require whitewater skills. For those sections, only persons capable of handling a canoe or kayak full of trash in whitewater should volunteer. This is primarily for section 2, 7 and 8.
CANOE RACING ENTHUSIASTS Some sections of river, like
Luling to Gonzales, have long stretches with few bridge crossings and
for that reason, we are asking canoe racers (especially teams that have
competed in the Texas Water Safari) to volunteer for section 10.

FREE CAMPING
Paddlers participating in this event are invited to camp free at the San
Marcos River Retreat. Reservations required. For the San Marcos River
Retreat e-mail tomgoynes@mac.com or call: 512-787-5574 (if you are
not a member of the TRPA you may have to text me or leave a
voicemail).
Camping is also available at Shady Grove Campground in Martindale.
Call 512-357-6113 for reservations and pricing. They are usually have some free spaces for this event, but that is limited.

MEAL SATURDAY NIGHT, March 7!
Starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday evening there will be a meal (we are
thinking tacos - the cost of brisket has gone out of sight) for all the
volunteers at the chapel at the San Marcos River Retreat. We are asking
that everyone who wants to eat should register with their section leader
by March 4. We are also asking folks to please bring a plate, a cup, and
utensils (we are trying to generate less trash). We are asking anyone
who would like to provide a dessert (either a dutch oven or baked good)
to please bring it.

MEETING TIMES AND SHUTTLES
Paddlers are required to contact the section leader for the section of river he or she intends to clean and reserve a spot on that team. Many of these sections are will only be open to members of the club that has adopted that section. That leader will keep a list of volunteers and also make a note of folks who intend to eat the dinner. The section leader will tell all the members in their group where they will meet on the morning of March
7. At that meeting, trash bags will be handed out and shuttles will be
arranged.

PRE-REGISTRATION: IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT EVERYONE
PARTICIPATING IN THIS EVENT PRE-REGISTER BY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 (ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANT A TO
EAT SATURDAY EVENING). YOU MUST CONTACT A
SECTION LEADER TO PRE-REGISTER. AND YOU SHOULD
LET THE LEADER KNOW IF YOU CHANGE YOUR PLANS
AND CAN’T PARTICIPATE

RIVER SECTION LISTINGS:
1. Stokes Park to The San Marcos River Retreat (3.5 miles)
This is an all day clean up, volunteers should plan on being on the river
until about 4 p.m. Volunteers are guaranteed to experience trash jams
that resemble the trash compactor (complete with monster) from the
original Star Wars movie. This section of river is not recommended for
the faint of heart. Currently there is a large hyacinth jam on this section.
Section Coordinator: open for adoption.
Possible new section: Up and back trip from San Marcos River Retreat.
There has been some interest in cleaning the river upstream from the
Retreat to Cummings Dam and back down. More info once we have a
section leader.

2. San Marcos River Retreat to Sculls Crossing (3.1 miles)
This is a whitewater section of river. If you don’t know what a draw is,
don’t choose this section. Several groups and canoe clubs will be
cleaning this section.
Section coordinators:
Steve Ford fnutria@aol.com with NTRR

3. Sculls Crossing to Spencer Canoes (2 mi.)
This section involves carrying your canoe around Martindale Dam. And
a little bit of moving water from the dam to Spencer Canoes
This section has been adopted by the San Marcos River Ranch
katybrantley@gmail.com 512-755-9720

4. Spencer Canoes to Staples - Hwy 1977 (5 miles)
This section is being cleaned by the Informal River Bureaucracy (aka
Jeff Pine and friends) and they have enough volunteers
5. Staples to Fentress - Hwy 20 (9 miles)
Section Leader: Dallas Downriver Club
Bryan Jackson paddlinpals@yahoo.com
6. Fentress to Prairie Lea 1 (3.29 miles)
Some fast moving water; some trees in the river.
Section Leader: Susan Eda susaneda@mac.com
7. Prairie Lea 1 to Stairtown (5 miles)
Some fast moving water; some trees in the river.
Section Leader: Josh Sarkardehi, jsarkardehi@gmail.com
8. Stairtown to Luling - Hwy 90 (6.5miles)
Some fast moving water; some trees in the river.
Section Leader: Jeannette Burris, mmball1@sbcglobal.net
9. Hwy 90 to Zedler Dam (6 mi.) A TPWD paddling trail
Some fast moving water; some trees in the river.
Section Leader: Kayaking Houston
Kenny Sharpless kenny.sharpless@hotmail.com
10. Zedler Dam to Gonzales (a long way)
Long hard stretch for people with the Water Safari on their mind (in
other words, for crazy people).
Section Leader: open for adoption

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: to the San Marcos River Retreat
On google maps we show up as the “San Marcos River Scout Camp.”
Coming from Interstate 35 in San Marcos, get on Highway 80 and head
toward Luling for 1.8 miles. Take a right on county road 101. Take an
immediate left onto county road 102. Go 1/2 mile on 102 and take a
right on Pecan Park road. Keep going straight (past TG Canoes and
Kayaks) and the road will end at the San Marcos River Retreat office.
For more info visit
our website at San Marcos River Retreat
Clean up Coordinator: Tom Goynes tomgoynes@mac.com